It is regrettable that William S. Ellis failed to
mention that it was "Israel's wrath" plus the fact
that "for ten weeks in the summer of 1982 the
Israelis blockaded west Beirut" that finally
brought peace to this unhappy and tragic city af
ter eight terrible years of bloodshed. If, as Mr.
Ellis says, "there is hope now that Beirut can rise
from the rubble," let us at least offer some thanks
to valiant little Israel.
Hy Grober
Teaneck, New Jersey
Your feature "Beirut-Up From the Rubble"
was portrayed beautifully and in the classic tra
dition of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, especially
considering the political morass of that area.
Alan V. Clinscales
Springfield, Missouri
RAIN FORESTS
Your article on rain forests (January 1983)
sounded an urgent need for environmentalists
and naturalists in Malaysia to join hands to stop
further forest exploitation. It is unfair not to con
sider also the allowance of a certain amount of
land to be cleared for development, housing, in
dustry, and cultivation to keep up with the ever
growing population of a developing nation like
Malaysia.
Vincent W. Y. Tung
Ipoh, Malaysia
Author Peter White replies: "My article brought
forth the views of many people on three conti
nents infavorofdevelopment as it affected them."
When quoting disputed figures, such as the 50
million acres of rain forests that disappear each
year, and stating that magnificent timber is being
devastated to satisfy the lunchtime chopstick cit
izens of Japan, I can only wonder just how much
weight the mighty National Geographic Society
carries with those who systematically eliminate
the richest environment on earth, either for polit
ical or financial gain. You may presume that I am
an active environmentalist who goes to jail and
lies before timber trucks! In fact, I have never se
riously thought about conservation; it was the
powerful illustration and text that urged me to air
passive opinion.
Richard Baker
Rayleigh, England
Letters shouldbe addressedto Members Forum,
National Geographic Magazine, Box 37448,
Washington, D. C. 20013, and should include
sender's address and telephone number. Not all
letters can be used. Those that are will often be
edited and excerpted.
NationalGeographic,June 1983